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A female victim with multiple serious stab wounds was discovered on the night of January 27, 2023 by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department patrol deputies responding to a 911 call reporting “an unknown type of emergency.”
According to SBSD Public Information Officer Raquel Zick, detectives involved in the immediately ensuing investigation soon identified 24-year-old Santa Maria resident Jesus David Galvan Cuevas as the victim’s boyfriend and “the likely suspect.” As the victim was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment of her serious wounds, the search for Cuevas began.
Although detectives had a detailed description and multiple sources of identification on him, Cuevas eluded the authorities for the following 16 months. But relentless investigation efforts ultimately enabled detectives to located Cuevas in Reedley, Ca., where they made contact with him and promptly took him into custody.
Cuevas was transported back to Santa Barbara County Northern Jail. As he was being booked on a charge of attempted murder, however, Cuevas “escaped on foot” and made a desperate attempt to flee from custody. But “about 100 yards from the facility,” Cuevas was captured and returned to the jail.
Cuevas is currently held without bail, charged with “multiple felonies” that include attempted murder, vehicle theft, and escape.
